 Step
8: With 18 gauge wire there are two ways to finish the top of
the earrings. If you view the tip of the raindrop wire component
shown at right, you can see that the 18g wire component is finished with
an modified figure 8 connector.
(Our
instructions for making this jewelry component can be found here.)
The connector at the top of the two 14 gauge earrings shown at right
were made with 24 gauge wire wrapped tightly around the two loops
holding them in position. For beginners the modified figure 8
connector is by far
 the
easier option. Unfortunately with 14 gauge wire the only option is
the wrapped 24 gauge wire. You can view a close-up of this
approach at left. The two loops of the raindrop wire component
are at the bottom of the picture, the loop in the ear wire is at the top
and the wrapped 24 gauge wire is in between the two. To complete
this wrapped 24 gauge wire, first, wrap two loops of the 24 gauge wire
tightly around the two loops at the top of the raindrop wire component.
Pull these two loops tight by using your bent chain nose pliers and then
wrap the shorter end of the wire around the longer end of the wire.
Cut the excess wire on the shorter wire segment and squeeze the cut end flat. Finish the loop
at the top using the longer end of the wire by making a regular wrapped loop.
The technique
for making a wrapped loop can be found here.
Step 9: Open the loop in a pair of conventional ear wires and connect them to the loop at the top of the modified figure 8 connector or wrapped 24 gauge wire. The technique for opening and closing loops is discussed here. When you have done this for both earrings you are done. Get ready for walking down the runway, but don't be surprised if you see someone else wearing these same earrings. |